I’m Just a Counselor Chapter 57

The carriage soon left the outskirts of the warp gate and entered the center of the islands.

 

Estella closed the window as she gazed out at the unfamiliar streets of the Islands.

 

“I was expecting a lot of sophistication in the original story, but there’s not much here. It’s kind of like Loasen, isn’t it, sis?”

 

“Yeah. I don’t see much difference.”

 

“No, I think Loasen is much prettier, and it doesn’t even snow here!”

 

After grumbling about how dry it was and how the crown prince had given her such a temper, Estella began to focus on finishing off the rest of her snacks.

 

I joined her, nibbling on a treat or two, until the carriage finally stopped, and the driver’s side window opened again, revealing Shane’s face.

 

When he saw me and Estella munching on our snacks, he frowned and said,

 

“Shane’s hungry too~”

 

I picked up a small chocolate chip cookie and held it out to Shane. He eagerly took the one in my hand.

 

His lips touched my fingertips briefly, then pulled away. I shrugged and lowered my hand.

 

“Oh, it’s delicious.”

 

Smiling up at me, Shane quickly swallowed the cookie and spoke.

 

“Pleasant and safe, am I right?”

 

“Yep. I had a hard time getting here.”

 

He was kidding about holding on tight, because Shane’s driving skills were excellent. I wondered where he’d learned to do it professionally.

 

I gave him a thumbs-up.

 

“Shane is really good at everything.”

 

But unlike me, who was comfortable in this big carriage, Shane must have had a hard time sitting in the coachman’s seat. Sitting in the same position for six hours must have been hard on his butt and back. I don’t think the coachman’s seat was cushioned.

 

‘Not to mention he didn’t eat while driving.’

 

Suddenly feeling even more grateful for his hard work, I grabbed another cookie and offered it to him.

 

Shane gobbled it up and reached through the window to lightly stroke my hair.

 

Estella swooped in and swatted his hand away.

 

“Mr. Shane, don’t do that to my sister!”

 

“Yeah, yeah. Okay.”

 

Shane replied, rubbing the back of his hand, but he didn’t look like he meant it. Estella sensed it, too, and she glared at him.

 

“Stop it, both of you.”

 

It wasn’t until I intervened again that they finally broke it off. Shane shrugged his shoulders and smirked.

 

“Next time, then, ladies.”

 

Shane’s face disappeared and the window closed, and this time the carriage door opened smoothly. Jeremiah’s face was slowly revealed through it.

 

He had unbuttoned a couple of buttons on his uniform, realizing that the weather was feeling a bit hot.

 

“Now that we’re here, you can get out. This will be your first tour of the townhouse.”

 

Jeremiah said in a friendly tone and held out his hand to Estella.

 

She wiped the cookie crumbs from the corner of her mouth, took his hand, and stepped out of the carriage.

 

Once she was safely on the ground, Jeremiah extended his hand to me.

 

“I assume this is the first time you’ve seen the Duchy, Miss Vanessa.”

 

“Yes.”

 

I replied briefly, taking Jeremiah’s hand. We landed lightly on the ground, and the view of the Duchy came into view.

 

‘A manor house and a castle must be different,’ I thought.

 

I had expected it to feel different from the ducal castle in Loasen, but… I let out a small gasp at the unexpected scenery.

 

“Wow…”

 

The first thing I noticed was the white exterior walls. The white building caught my eye as if it was snowing.

 

I thought to myself, ‘They must have whitewashed the exterior because it doesn’t snow here. Jeremiah is a northerner after all. No, it’s Loasen pride.’

 

Next, a bright red camellia in full bloom.

 

Jeremiah has planted camellias not only in the castle but also in the manor house.

 

The sparkling winter sunlight bounced off the building. The manor itself was white, so it seemed to catch the sunlight much better.

 

It also has a softer, more sophisticated atmosphere, instead of the cold and stiff atmosphere of the castle. It’s certainly not as grand or majestic as the castle, but it’s cozy and pretty instead.

 

I thought to myself, ‘Maybe a castle has a function, and a mansion can only add to the pure beauty.’

 

While I was still comparing and admiring the castle and the mansion, Estella, who was looking at the mansion similarly to me, put her arm around me.

 

“Sis, Sis, do you like the mansion?”

 

“What about you Estella?”

 

“Well… I think I like the duke’s castle better.”

 

“I see. I like them both.”

 

As soon as I said that, color returned to Estella’s face. She still held my arm tightly in hers, her eyes twinkling as she said

 

“What do you think it would be like if you could decorate this mansion however you wanted?”

 

“Me?”

 

“Yes. I know you’re limited by the castle, but don’t you think you could change the mansion to your liking?”

 

“It’s pretty enough as it is, so I don’t think there’s anything to change… Anyway, what would it be like if that happened?”

 

“This mansion belongs to you, so you can have it, and if that happens, you can do whatever you want with it!”

 

“……?”

 

I tilted my head, only half understanding Estella’s rapid-fire speech.

 

‘How can I have something that belongs to Jeremiah?’

 

I think that’s Estella’s question. She’s a princess of Oppenheim, after all, and the manor belongs to her.

 

Estella pursed her lips in frustration as I stared at her. But Jeremiah was quicker.

 

“Until now, I’ve been the only one taking care of the townhouse, but now that you’re here, it’s going to be different. If there’s anything you don’t like about it, Esti, just tell me.”

 

“You should ask her, not me!”

 

Estella said, as if to correct Jeremiah’s words. I looked at her in bewilderment.

 

“No, I don’t think my opinion counts for much.”

 

But Jeremiah, being the good Siscom brother that he is, obediently followed his sister’s lead.

 

“Miss Vanessa Is there anything about the mansion that you don’t like?”

 

“No, nothing. The mansion is very pretty.”

 

Jeremiah smiled faintly at my words. He had just opened his lips to speak when Estella interrupted, quicker this time.

 

“But it would be even better if you had a duchess. You seem to lack a certain delicacy, even at the castle.”

 

“Is that so…?”

 

I lifted my eyes at Estella’s words and looked at the mansion once more.

 

I don’t see Jeremiah’s lack of delicacy… in my own eyes. I see it in Estella’s eyes.

 

‘I suppose she’s right, though.’

 

No matter how careful Jeremiah is, there will always be something lacking. That’s why he needs a wife. Whether it’s a mansion or a castle, it’s usually the wife who takes care of the house.

 

“Ah.”

 

I blurted out the words as something suddenly occurred to me.

 

“Then I suppose you’ll be looking for the Duchess at the New Year’s festival.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“Someone you can marry.”

 

“…….”

 

“I’ll be there for Estella, so I don’t think the Duke will have to worry about her for once.”

 

“…….”

 

The reason Jeremiah hasn’t thought about dating or marriage is because he has Estella.

 

I was going to take over that role, so this time he could pursue his interests without worrying about his sister. And he did.

 

“What’s wrong?”

 

“…….”

 

“…….”

 

I blinked at the strange atmosphere. Not only Jeremiah, but Estella, too, was staring at me balefully.

 

I smiled awkwardly, looking back and forth between the two pairs of identical light green eyes.

 

Jeremiah’s low sigh broke the strange silence. Swiping a hand across his face, he spoke firmly.

 

“I’ll take care of my own business, and you don’t have to worry about Miss Vanessa.”

 

His tone was almost stern.

 

“Besides, it’s not like I’m here for fun.”

 

He has a purpose this time. It’s not like he’s the kind of guy who’d put that aside for a relationship. Maybe what I just said to Jeremiah was too casual.

 

‘I’m being a little too presumptuous.’

 

I shook my head, wincing, my shoulders slumping. At that, Jeremiah sighed again.

 

As I listened to him sigh and reflected on my own stupidity, Estella grabbed my hand and urged me on.

 

“Sis, shall we go see what’s in the mansion?”

 

“That would be great, it’s kind of like a castle, but we’re new here.”

 

Jeremiah quickly agreed with Estella’s change of subject.

 

As eager as I was to get out of this awkward situation, I followed her without protest.

 

As we passed through the mansion’s entrance, we were immediately greeted by a spacious foyer, the chandeliers hanging from the high ceilings casting a gorgeous glow.

 

“It really does look like a castle inside.”

 

Through the window, I could see a camellia in full bloom. While I watched, Estella wandered around with a curious look on her face.

 

Then she spotted a room on the third floor and waved me over.

 

“I think this is my room!”

 

I followed her exclamation and entered the room.

 

The room was still somewhat empty, but I could see why Estella thought it was the right one.